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Boeing starts final tests on 787 Dreamliner

Boeing's first 787 Dreamliner arrives on June 21, 2011 at the Paris Air Show (Boeing) | Click picture for flight-test photo gallery.

Boeing Sunday started the final phase of flight testing of the 787 Dreamliner prior to certification, the company announced Monday.

Function and reliability testing simulates operations for the airplane in an airline-like flight environment. Extended-operations (ETOPS) testing validates the airplane’s ability to safely divert, including flying with one engine shut down far from the nearest airport. ETOPS certification is needed for long routes over oceans and polar regions.

“We are ready for this final phase of flight testing,” Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program, said in a news release. “The team has created a solid plan for accomplishing the hours and test points required for F&R and ETOPS testing in support of delivery to our customer ANA in the August to September time period.”

These tests are on 787s with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, which will equip the first aircraft delivered to launch customer All Nippon Airways. Boeing plans to conduct the same tests for GEnx engines.

Note: This is a seattlepi.com reader blog. It is not written or edited by the P-I. The authors are solely responsible for content. E-mail us at newmedia@seattlepi.com if you consider a post inappropriate.